As Gertrude Stein's three-part masterpiece "Tender Buttons" celebrates the centennial of its release, one avant garde Jersey City theater group is bringing the nonsensical words and playful poetry to life.

Since 2010, the Van Reipen Collective (VRC) has been working on "Tender Buttons" in one way or another, first writing songs inspired by the piece, then performing small bits of each of the three sections -- "Objects," "Rooms" and "Food" -- in New York and at Eonta Space, a private performance space near Journal Square, using props and costumes in absurd ways (think seatless chairs, apples hidden in bosoms and giant chickens).

Now, VRC is finally performing the gargantuan text in its entirety, all three parts over the course of five hours. "Objects" is directed by Gary Heidt, who co-founded VRC with Cassandra Chopourian; "Rooms" by Cara Scarmack and Christopher Weston; and "Food," by Niki Tulk. And having multiple chefs in the kitchen, they say, is only enriching the show's flavor.

"The fact that there are three directorial and creative teams working on this text at once is highly unorthodox, and is breeding a very special kind of magic that makes Stein’s words come alive," said Chopourian, who acts in all three pieces.

She added, "It is such a great way to take it in and really begin to know it…Much more so than if I were just sitting down reading it. It is moving through my body, my diaphragm, my vocal chords, my bones!"

Stein's words are playful, and how they sound is often as important -- or more important -- than what they mean.

"Everyone from small children to very old people love the language, especially when it's spoken out loud," said Heidt. "It can be very funny, with lines like, 'There is no authority for the abuse of cheese.'

"'Tender Buttons' may seem very abstract on the page, but put it in a song and the words become no more 'difficult' than a Beatles song like 'I Am the Walrus.'"

"There were no right answers, no decoding, only following associations," said Scarmack. "We are eager to see what the experience will be for the spectators...the opportunity for folks to hear and see this text as an object. Gertie would be quite pleased with the pickle she's placed us in."

"Tender Buttons" will be held at Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave., New York City. "Objects" runs from Oct. 2 to 5, "Rooms" from Oct. 9 to 12, "Food" from Oct. 16 to 19. Shows are Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15, $12 for students and seniors. For more information, visit VanReipen.org.